'Dismaying' definitions:

Definition of 'dismaying'

From: WordNet
adjective
Causing consternation; "appalling conditions" [syn: appalling, dismaying]

Definition of 'Dismaying'

From: GCIDE
  • Dismay \Dis*may"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dismayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Dismaying.] [OE. desmaien, dismaien, OF. esmaier; pref. es- (L. ex) + OHG. magan to be strong or able; akin to E. may. In English the pref. es- was changed to dis- (L. dis-). See May, v. i.]
  • 1. To disable with alarm or apprehensions; to depress the spirits or courage of; to deprive or firmness and energy through fear; to daunt; to appall; to terrify. [1913 Webster]
  • Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed. --Josh. i. 9. [1913 Webster]
  • What words be these? What fears do you dismay? --Fairfax. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To render lifeless; to subdue; to disquiet. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • Do not dismay yourself for this. --Spenser.
  • Syn: To terrify; fright; affright; frighten; appall; daunt; dishearthen; dispirit; discourage; deject; depress. -- To Dismay, Daunt, Appall. Dismay denotes a state of deep and gloomy apprehension. To daunt supposes something more sudden and startling. To appall is the strongest term, implying a sense of terror which overwhelms the faculties. [1913 Webster]
  • So flies a herd of beeves, that hear, dismayed, The lions roaring through the midnight shade. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • Jove got such heroes as my sire, whose soul No fear could daunt, nor earth nor hell control. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • Now the last ruin the whole host appalls; Now Greece has trembled in her wooden walls. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Dismaying'